This member of the Amaryllidaceae
famly was described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. It is foud in the coastal
areas from southern Namibia southwards to the Cape Peninsula and
eastwards to Grahamstown. It grows in sand or other well drained
soil with some water and some to lots of sun. The bulb will grow up
to 25 centimetres in diameter, the two or tree leaves up to 60
centimetres long and 22 centimetres wide. The flowers are
brownish-red to red.

Haemanthus
is Greek: haima for blood, and anthos for
flower. Coccineus is Latin: Red or scarlet.